Oct. 12, 2009

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -

Junior Meghna Bal led Kansas women’s golf after day one of the Price’s Give ‘Em Five Intercollegiate hosted by New Mexico state Monday. Bal fired a one-under par 71 and is just two strokes out of the lead of the individual race.

Kansas is in 12^th place after the first round.  The Jayhawks shot 306.  UC-Irvine leads the tournament at 294, followed by Idaho (296) and Fresno State (298).

Bal trails a trio of players, who all shot 69 in Hannah Burke of Baylor, Christine Wong of San Diego State and Joy Trotter of UC-Irvine.

Bal’s 71 matched her career low.  KU’s Jennifer Clark fired a 76 to tie for 26^th and Grace Thiry carded a 78 to tie for 53^rd. Veterans Emily Powers and Meghan Gockel round out the Kansas lineup with Powers tied for 74^th with 81 and Gockel tied for 89^th with 85.

The tournament will continue with round two Tuesday beginning with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. MT. Play will conclude Wednesday the final 18 holes.

NMSU Price’s Give ‘Em Five Intercollegiate

Team Leaders (18 Teams)

(Thru one round)

1. UC - Irvine                 294 

2. Idaho                         296

3. Fresno State               298

4. San Diego State          300

5. Oregon State              303

         Baylor                   303

12. Kansas                    306

Individual Leaders

T1. Hannah Burke, Baylor                    69

     Christine Wong, San Diego St.         69

      Joy Trotter, UC-Irvine                     69

4. Meghna Bal, Kansas                      71

T5. Lindi Covarrubias, Fresno St.           72

     Emily Roering, Colorado St.              72

Other Kansas Individuals

T26. Jennifer Clark           76

T53. Grace Thiry              78

T74. Emily Powers            81

T89. Meghan Gockel         85